questions. We do payroll twice a month and statements once a month. Every day looks a little different. We also purchased a second dealership in Havre, about two hours away, this past October. I do payroll for that store as well and am helping train the new office employee there. As a woman, you are in the minority; what are your thoughts about the auto industry as a career path for women? What’s your experience been like? What can be done to hire more women? There aren’t a lot of women in higher-level roles in dealerships, especially in rural areas. Our structure is a little different because we’re small and rural — we all fill in wherever we’re needed — but even at industry meetings, like 20 group meetings, I’m often the only woman in the room. That can be intimidating. Sometimes I’ve held back from speaking because I didn’t want to misspeak or sound like I didn’t know what I was talking about — even when I probably did. I think that’s something women struggle with in many industries. My advice would be to be confident in what you know and not be afraid to speak your truth. And if you don’t know something, ask. Most people are pretty open and accepting as long as you’re trying to learn. In terms of struggles, the only times I’ve really felt pushback have been when I’ve had to work more directly in the service or parts departments. In a small Montana town, some customers may initially assume you don’t know the answer. I’ll be honest — there are things I don’t know right off the top of my head. But I can find out, and I will. The challenge today is that everyone wants answers immediately. It’s not always realistic, but that expectation can make those moments harder. That said, I think it’s a great industry for women. There are a lot of opportunities and room for growth. And in a dealership environment like ours, you get exposure to every department, which builds confidence and skill. What do you love about the industry, and what would you change if you could? One of my favorite things about this job is that my husband and I get to run the dealership together. It’s something we’ve built side by side, and that’s special. I also really love that we were able to keep the dealership open in a small town like Conrad. That matters. We employ about 11 people here in Conrad and between 15 and 20 in Havre. Those are real families and livelihoods. Some of our employees have been here a long time, which speaks volumes. It truly takes a team to make a dealership successful. You need good leadership, but you also need employees who show up every day ready to do the work. You have to be a team player. At Courtesy Ford in Conrad, we’ve become a well-oiled machine over the years. When we took over the Havre store, we experienced growing pains — new leadership, new processes — and it reminded me how fortunate we are here. It’s working out, but transitions are challenging. I also enjoy that the work is rarely boring. Things change constantly. The days go by fast. We’re not sitting around twiddling our thumbs. I don’t personally sell vehicles, but I love seeing our sales manager find the right vehicle for a customer. There’s satisfaction in watching that happen. If I could change anything, it might just be the expectation for instant answers. With parts and service, especially, there’s a need to research or confirm details, and not everyone wants to wait. But overall, I feel very fortunate to work where I do and with the people we have. What advice would you pass on to someone entering the auto industry? First, be confident in what you know. Speak up. Even if you’re the only woman in the room, your voice matters. Don’t let intimidation keep you quiet. Second, if you don’t know something, ask. We all learn from mistakes. That’s part of growth. Do your best and never stop learning. Finally, understand that it takes a team. A dealership isn’t successful because of one person. It’s leadership, employees, consistency and showing up every day ready to work together. If you’re willing to learn, be adaptable and be a team player, there’s a place for you in this industry. We’re heading into our 11th year of ownership of Courtesy Ford now. Looking back on the decision to purchase the dealership in 2015, I’m grateful we took this path. It was a leap of faith — for our family and our community — and I can confidently say we made the right decision. 17 MONTANA AUTO DEALER
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